Jon lowers the V50 course record when winning Street 5k edition 176 on a night when over 25 beat their October times by more than 15 seconds!

Jon James accelerated away from the leading group on the final lap to win the November 2018 edition of the Street 5k in a time of 16.35, with fellow Wells City Harrier Zak Hurrell closest in 16.40. Whilst last years’s Queen of the Street Series, Helen Southcott’s 18.50 gained her victory for the women’s section, with Harrier Zoe Kurle next home. The incentive of gaining a bottle of local Cider/Apple juice by running 15 seconds quicker than last month proved popular! For the juniors Owen Dukes, in the 2k, again ran to victory with Michael Eames 1st in the 1k and Alice King winning for the girls (again). All results now available below.

The courseV50 record had stood for some time to former Harrier Dickie Wythe’s 16.59 (Nov 2006) but that was lowered at the March 2018 edition by Jon to 16.52 and we knew when he turned up to enter this month’s edition that he’d probably go quicker again. He was helped by there being a good competitive group of runners at the sharp end with the group only beginning to fracture on the 4th and then the final lap. Zak Hurrell did best at hanging onto him, and then Wayne Loveridge (Chard RR) in 3rd 16.56, followed by 1stV40 Harrier Tom Dukes who tanked through for 4th in 17.02.1st Junior, once again, was Tom’s son u20 Dylan Dukes in 6th place in 17.20.

1stV50, other than Jon, was newcomer Les Ball from the Lincoln Wellington club, in 8th place overall 17.41. 1stV60 was Adrian Cornford (Crewkerne), 32nd, 20.09 and once again 1stV70 was Len Horlock, 79th in 25.25.

For the women Helen Southcott, running here for Maiden Newton Runners, though now a Harrier member for Cross-country and track (with YOAC) and a regular at our Tuesday night training sessions, always looked strong and reeled in early leader and fellow Harrier u17 Poppy Pellow making her Street 5k debut on the night. Helen’s time was 18.50, with Zoe Kurle moving through to take 2nd in 19.18 and then 3rd Rachel Astington (Running For Time), 19.20, and Poppy, 1st Junior, in 4th place, 19.38 (pb). 1stF45 was Harrier membership Secretary Alice Knight in 23.39 (66th). 1st F55 was Adele Cooper of Avon Valley Runners in 24.50 (75th). (Any competitor who didn’t pick up their prize on the night can do so next edition).

Best of the age-graded results was unsurprisingly Jon James performance worth a whopping 89.8% with Les Ball (82.3%) and Paul Rose (Maiden Newton)(81.5%) also surpassing the 80% mark. Helen Southcott’s 79.1% was best for the women. (You can check out how age graded figures work by taking a look here).

It was good to see many old faces and a good number of first-timers at the Street 5k – a good contingent of Millfield staff came and gave it a go for the first time. In terms of the Cider/Apple juice bonus for those running 15 seconds quicker than last month – the Bullbeggar Cider & juice produced by the village co-operative in Lamyatt was dished out to a good number who had achieved their target. Some 32 of the 89 finishers achieved the target! Any further orders for the Cider to Paul (£2.50 per bottle or five bottles for a tenner) with all profits from sales going to the Lamyatt village hall & Church.

Next month (12th December) all entrants are in line to get a (calorie recovery) goody bag supplied by one of our other local food and drink producers - Radfords Fine Fudge - as we celebrate our 30th anniversary year of the Street 5k series. Then the January 2019 edition will have another incentivised bonus prize to encourage all to keep training and improving over the Christmas period ….& For all those that complete 5 races in the Series this season there will be an award given out at the March 2019 edition.

In the junior races, Michael Eames was back to win the 1km race in 4.04 whilst Alice King won for the girls (again) in 4.24. Leyton Finn was 2nd in 4.24. In the 2km race Owen Dukes winning time was 8.14 with Tai Pitman next home in 8.46. We recommend that school Year 5 & 6 (& good Year 4s) race the 1km event and School year 7 & 8 race the 2km event. At this age they ought to concentrating on honing their speed, not their longer endurance.(which can put some of them off the sport!). Try and get close to, or actually beat, the records for the shorter distance before you step up distances!

Our thanks as always to the many Harriers who turn out to help marshal, be in the finish line crew, the data entry & results team or the tea team. If you've not yet volunteered this season please let EdTickner or Ian Eddy know in advance which month's race you are volunteering at.

MISPLACED? One of the Finish Recording Clipboards disappeared from the main hall after the event last night - please let us know if you have seen it.

TRAINING WITH THE HARRIERS

Tuesday night training with the Harriers at Millfield track, either on the track or on the surrounding field, is getting to be a big affair with over 40+ members and non-members working hard to the session plan designed by senior Harrier coach Jon James. All who can make it are welcome to come and join us at 6.30pm for warm up, finishing by 7.30pm. Training plan for November and December is at the bottom of the training tab here. Juniors are invited to attend our Monday night sessions at Millfield under the floodlights from 6pm to 7pm. Contact Graham or Paul for more information about junior sessions, suitable for age 8 upwards. Register before each session - Members pay £2; and non-members £3 per session as we hire the track

LAST CALL FOR ANNUAL DINNER & LONDON MARATHON BALLOT

We have only a few places left for the Annual Club Dinner being held at Wells Golf Club on Friday 30th November. Club members and their partners get a discounted rate, subsidised by the Club, for a 2 course meal. The meal will be followed by the London Marathon ballot and we again have 2 Club places to allocate – the following 8 names have been reported as having been fully paid up members when they applied in the main ballot, and that they have been rejected, and that they haven’t had a Club place in the past 2 years. If there are any other members who qualify please let Graham and Paul know asap.

Lynn Elstob

Mike Bosley

Jo Swift

Sharon Bowles

Barbara Mercer

Ali Blaney

Rosie Park

Dave Cory

We also know that Melissa Aspinall and Simon Carr were rejected but as they had Club places in the last 2 years they miss out this year; and that Nick Weaving was also rejected but he is passing up his opportunity to be in the Club ballot.

At the Annual Dinner there will also be a Quiz, a raffle, and the clapometer test of who should win the Club’s coveted ‘Bogseat’ award for 2018. We have at least 2 nominations of this so far, but again if there are any other nominations of Club members who have done some very stupid but amusing things this past year then let us all know on the night! (Is Duncan’s swimming at Venice Marathon good enough for him to retain the ‘trophy’ and to beat Andy’s going to the wrong Huish for a race; or is there a better potential recipient?)